Cedar, African juniper
Juniperus procera

Family: Cupressaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 35 m high. The bark is thin and fibrous. The leaves are like needles and spread when young. They become like scales when mature. The male cones are oval and 3 mm long. The female cones are 6 mm across. These are swollen to give the appearance of a blue-black berry-like fruit.

Probably edible. It is a useful timber.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry areas. In Malawi it grows between 2,100-2,250 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Arabia, Asia, Australia, East Africa (country/location of origin), Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Middle East, SE Asia, Somalia, Southern Africa, Sudan, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Medicine

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Cemara Afrika, Dayib, Tipai

Synonyms

Juniperus abyssinica K. Koch; Juniperus hochstetteri Antoine; Sabina procera (Hochst. ex Endl.) Antoine;